Known for his versatile performances, Hollywood star Michael Keaton has become one of the best actors in the industry, even earning an Oscar nomination for his 2014 film Birdman. However, his portrayal of the iconic DC superhero Batman remains one of his most celebrated roles. Keaton took on the role in the 1989 film Batman and later returned in its 1992 sequel. And he reprised his role alongside Ezra Miller in the 2023 superhero film, The Flash.
The film, however, did not bode very well either at the box office or among critics and audiences. And former Batman villains Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito recently brought the superhero’s essence back at the 96th Academy Awards, reigniting admiration for the 72-year-old actor among fans.
Micheal Keaton Revives the Essence of Batman at the 2024 Oscars
Among many who joined the prestigious award show at the Dolby Theatre included the Hollywood star Michael Keaton. The actor who was a presenter at the award ceremony was reunited with his Beetlejuice co-star Catherine O’Hara and the former Batman villains, Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Penguin (Danny DeVito).
As the Twins stars took to the stage to present the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, the duo shared a funny Batman bit on-stage. “Well, Arnold and I are presenting together, for a very obvious reason,” DeVito said before Schwarzenegger chimed in, “We both tried to kill Batman.”
Schwarzenegger and DeVito further playfully reminisced about their roles as villains in Batman films, with The Terminator star stating that he was defeated by “Love” remarking it as his weakness while DeVito recalled being thrown out a window.
As DeVito points out the Batman actor in the audience, the camera cuts to Michael Keaton, prompting Schwarzenegger to jest that he had “a lot of nerve” to show up at the awards ceremony in the presence of his two nemesis.
Schwarzenegger and DeVito portrayed the DC villains Mr. Freeze and Penguin, respectively. While DeVito starred alongside Keaton in the 1992 film Batman Returns, Schwarzenegger took on the antagonistic character alongside George Clooney, who also reprised his role in Ezra Miller’s The Flash, in the 1997 film Batman & Robin.
Fans React to Michael Keaton’s Captivating Appearance at the Academy Awards
The Batman star’s appearance at the 2024 Oscars and the playful banter between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito has fans expressing their deep admiration for the Hollywood stars. Many even went on to claim that the Oscar bit was way much better than the “entire Flash movie.”
Michael Keaton is effortlessly both horrifying and hilarious, truly the perfect Batman
— Paul Landefeld (@plandefeld410) March 11, 2024
this was better than the entire flash movie https://t.co/XpSl1KNAVE
— doctor idk (@bigmonkeong) March 11, 2024
Bro locked in and became batman in 1 second https://t.co/IGoXUTGtgM
— bruhman (@elsenormexico) March 11, 2024
That little "come get some" from Keaton felt more like Batman than anything he did in The Flash
— Jake | CR: THE SANDMAN (1988) (@V2Jake) March 11, 2024
Unlike The Flash movie, this little bit actually put a smile on my face
— skrunkalicious (@gorgoinspace) March 11, 2024
Unironically the first time the oscars made me laugh in a VERY long time
— Gabe Calise (@GabeCalise) March 11, 2024
Others shared their praise and appreciation for Keaton, who had a stern and calm expression amid the chaotic banter between Schwarzenegger and DeVito, deeming him “the perfect Batman.” And amid controversial opening monologues getting disappointing reactions, one of the fans even went on to state, “Unironically the first time the Oscars made me laugh in a VERY long time,” referring to the brief Batman bit at the 96th Academy Awards.
Batman Returns and Batman & Robin are available to stream on Max.
